As we anticipated, the United States Supreme Court voted to overturn Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, 431 U.S. 209, which upheld the right of public sector labor unions to charge non-members of unionized bargaining units the cost of representation and contract administration. Teamsters Local 320 can no longer charge fair share fees to non-members, but must continue to represent non-members under the various collective bargaining agreements.

Notices from Teamsters Local 320 have gone out to all employers under its jurisdiction to cease the remittance of any future fair share fees to the Local Union from non-members. If you have any immediate questions or concerns please call 1-800-637-5430. If you have not re-committed to Local 320 by signing a membership application (maintenance of check-off) now is the time to do so! You can recommit online here.

Do not be deceived into thinking otherwise; this Supreme Court ruling is a major blow to our employee rights, to Teamsters here and nationally, and to the great American middle class. The true reason the Court has overturned more than 40 years of legal precedent is to diminish the power of labor unions to negotiate better wages and benefits for members and from our success in protecting the defined benefit, or traditional pension plan.

The choice to keep our Union strong and vibrant remains in your hands and your hands alone. Soon, you may hear from representatives of anti-union groups who will try to mislead you into giving up your rights and hurting your pay and benefits by dropping your union membership. What these corporate-backed groups will not tell you is how dropping your union membership threatens the pay and benefits your family depends on. Only together can we continue to thrive and secure the American dream.